Useful web based resources

One of the major activities of the WiP group is the Australian Institute of Physics International Women in Physics Lecture Series. The WiP Lecture series celebrates the contribution of women to advances in physics. Under this scheme, a woman who has made a significant contribution in a field of physics travels to each state branch of the AIP (QLD, NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas, SA and WA) to give a series of lectures. In particular a public lecture of interest to a non-specialist audience is organized in each state. This public lecture helps to lift the profile of women in physics, showcases excellent physics research and increases awareness of physics careers among students and their families.

The Athena Project is a UK-wide initiative which developed out of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals Commission on University Career Opportunities. The aims are to remove discrimination against women in Higher Education and to increase significantly the numbers of women in top posts by 2007. In 1999 the Steering Committee issued a call for development grants to encourage strategies to promote good practice and other incentives to improve the access, participation and promotion of women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) in Higher Education.

The Institute of Physics ( UK ) has a Woman in Physics (WP) Group which includes a Women in Research and Academia Subgroup. The WP Group encourages professional development, organises an annual meeting with discussions of topical interest, regularly produces a newsletter.

Women are under-represented in science and in decision-making bodies concerned with scientific issues. The European Commission recognizes this is both a waste of human resources and a serious obstacle for the development of the sciences and for European society as a whole. Information on strategies and programs to improve the participation of women is available here.

The Committee on the Status of Women in Physics (CSWP) offers programs and publications to encouragement the career development of women in physics. The Gazette newsletter is the official newsletter of the CSWP and an excellent source of information exchange. Due to concern at the relatively small percentage of female physics students and staff, the American Physical Society designed its “Climate for Women Site Visit Program.” This program has been developed to help physics departments improve the "chilly climate" that women in physics sometimes experience.

Other resources of interest

IUPAP Working Group on Women in Physics International Union of Pure and Applied Physics ( IUPAP) International Conference on Women in Physics was held in Paris , France , from March, 2002. The Conference surveyed and investigated under-representation of women and developed strategies to increase participation in physics.

Faculty and Families Project (2001)Robert Drago, Ann C. Crouter, Mark Wardell, Billie S. Willits. Pennsylvania State University The project investigated the difficulties faculty face in combining their academic and family commitments. This site also has links to other reports into family issues including child and elder care